Larry Williams
Larry Williams (born May 10, 1935 in New Orleans , Louisiana , † January 7, 1980 in Los Angeles , California ) was an American rhythm and blues singer, pianist and songwriter .
His first records appeared on Specialty Records in 1957 at a time when their star Little Richard had decided to pursue a career as a preacher . Williams was to be his successor because he had a comparatively wild piano playing . His voice, as well as his whistling, were unmistakable, however, and his lyrics were weird.
Larry Williams was also a petty crook from early youth, and for a while also a pimp . He also used his small tours to trade drugs on the side. This landed him several times in prison in the late 1950s. In the mid-1960s he made a comeback with a slightly different sound and a new band in which Johnny Guitar Watson also played. This phase is considered to be his most artistically important today; with Mercy, Mercy, Mercy the band had a hit in Europe. In the 1970s he tried his hand at the then current disco wave , but was unsuccessful.
On January 7, 1980, he was found dead next to his revolver. Although many questions remained unanswered, the investigation was quickly terminated and the suicide case identified.
Some of his rock 'n' roll songs became known worldwide through cover versions . The early Beatles recorded three of his pieces with Bad Boy , Dizzy Miss Lizzy and Slow Down . The latter also played Alvin Lee , Blodwyn Pig , Episode Six , Gerry & the Pacemakers and The Jam . Dizzy Miss Lizzy and Slow Down were also played by Casey Jones & the Governors . Of Bony Moronie is called the roll have shaped the most popular in the list of 500 songs that 'n' rock, out, there are versions of John Lennon , Livin 'Blues , Johnny Burnette , Dr. Feelgood , Flying Burrito Brothers , Johnny Winter , Little Richard , Paul Jones , Showaddywaddy , The Who , Jumpin 'Gene Simmons and The Shadows . The Rolling Stones , The Animals , white grub and Paul McCartney interpreted She Said Yeah .
Web links
- Larry Williams in the nndb (English)
Individual evidence
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Williams, Larry |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Bad boy |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American rhythm and blues singer, pianist and songwriter |
| DATE OF BIRTH | May 10, 1935 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | New Orleans , Louisiana |
| DATE OF DEATH | January 7, 1980 |
| Place of death | Los Angeles , California |